External evaluation and review

NZQA is responsible for ensuring that tertiary education organisations continue to comply with the statutory policies and criteria after initial programme approval and accreditation and/or registration is granted. In the case of universities this responsibility is delegated to the NZ Vice-Chancellors' Committee.

Engagement in periodic external evaluation and review is one of NZQA's policies. Each external evaluation and review provides an independent judgement of the educational performance and capability in self-assessment of all non-university tertiary education organisations (TEOs).

By educational performance is meant the extent to which the educational outcomes achieved by the TEO represent quality and value for learners and the wider community.

An evaluation of educational performance involves answering questions focused primarily on the quality of learning and teaching, and the achievements of learners.

Judgements on capability in self-assessment indicate how effectively an organisation uses self-assessment information to understand performance and bring about improvement.

Through periodic external evaluation and review TEOs are held accountable to their students, employers, funders, quality assurance bodies and other interested parties. The review process also provides information to support improvement across the tertiary education sector.

Who participates in external evaluation and review?

Self assessment and external evaluation are requirements of programme approval and accreditation (authorised under section 253 of the Education Act 1989) for all non-university TEOs that are entitled to apply.

Registered private training establishments

The criteria and policies for the registration of private training establishments requires self-assessment and external evaluation and review at an organisational level in addition to the individual programmes they own or provide.

ACE providers

ACE providers who are not also private training establishments do not have to undergo external evaluation and review. Instead, NZQA monitors and regulates ACE providers through the annual reports and attestations they submit.